Mullem Music Festival

Mullum Music Festival (MMF) is a boutique festival in Mullumbimby, a quaint but vibrant little town in the hinterland of Byron Bay, NSW. This year we celebrate our 10th Festival, which has gradually grown from very humble beginnings since the inaugural event back in 2008 – a memorable year for Mullum with the refurbishment and renovation of the Civic Hall, the epicentre of the festival.

The unique structure of MMF creates a special community atmosphere, adding a distinct and special flavour to the event, which festival goers hold dear to their musical hearts.

The action packed program is spread across multiple venues throughout the town. The use of existing structures is a very special aspect of the festival and reinforces not only the ‘roaming community’ vibe of the event, but also the sustainability of the town both financially and environmentally – two things which the organisers work very hard to ensure.

Artists are routinely seen mingling with the crowd and jumping in as guest performers all over the festival as a part of the laid back family atmosphere and the calibre of attending artists (as both performers and punters) is nothing to sneeze at. Mullum has been blessed with the likes of The Church, Ron Sexsmith (CAN), Ajak Kwai (Sth Sudan), Montaigne, Olympia, Tash Sultana, The Basics, Elana Stone, Marlon Williams (NZ), Robert Forster, Pieta Brown (US), Nano Stern (CHILE), Mama Kin, Arte Kanella, Megan Washington, Montaigne, All our Exes Live In Texas, Sticky Fingers, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks, King Tide, Tinpan Orange, Mojo JuJu, just to name a few…

The vibrant annual street parade and Mullum’s own Magic Bus have also become favourite festival hallmarks.

Since the beginning festival organisers, Red Square Music, have worked to maintain the individuality, authenticity and integrity of the festival on a number of levels. Not only does the event support the town, its musicians and the national and global music world, but it includes several programs to reinforce and promote sustainability. One of these is The Mullum S.E.E.D. program which involves a series of educational, sustainability focused talks and workshops which take place alongside the music timetable.

The MMF also continues its commitment to nurturing youth in, not only the music industry, but in a wide range of industries, offering a unique youth mentorship program for young musicians and also a range of TED-style talks for youth which fall under the banner of The Youth Training Station (formed in 2014).

Since its inception in 2008 when opening night was very nearly rained out and people came out of the woodwork driving miles to avoid fallen trees and powerlines to support what they knew would be a worthwhile event, the festival has grown from strength to strength, evolving and transforming along the way to become one of the most successful boutique festivals in the country.